I use a Loreal Natural or something like that and instructions say rinse it out and don't shampoo but it has an awful smell. Does anyone shampoo anyway, and does that affect the color? Thanks.

Originally Posted by mandyv

The only hair color I have seen that says you can shampoo afterwards is Robert Craig.

I'm not a beautician, but my understanding is when you color, the chemicals of the hair color cause the cuticle of the hair to open up. If you wash it now, you will wash out some of the color. You need to give it a day or two for the cuticle to close back up.

Of course, if it's too dark, you can wash now and get some of the color out (maybe).

You can shampoo with a color-safe or sulfate-free shampoo, but use lukewarm to cool water. If the haircolor is semipermanent, you will probably lose a bit more color than if it is permanent. Ideally, one would only rinse and lightly condition after a color, but if the smell is really getting to you, a light wash is ok, but try to wait at least 2 more days before the next shampoo. The less you disturb the cuticle, the better.

I saw Louis Licari, hair color expert and consultant to Clairol, on a tv show. He said that washing with a gentle shampoo is fine after coloring and it gives a more natural-looking result. I always shampoo after coloring with a sulfate-free shampoo.